This drama is packed with romance and comedy. I swear this drama had me dying from laughter the whole time, the cast was just awesome.
I will for sure miss the F40's bromance.
Definitely a must watch!!!!
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Nothing about it is particularly compelling; a significant amount of relationship development is done in near-montage. It seems like a good idea for a film that wasn't fleshed out.
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1This review may contain spoilers
I had no expectations coming into this drama.. I just wanted to watch something that’s not too demanding.. Unexpectedly, this was good.. Nothing innovative or fresh and I don’t think that was the intention either.. It sticks to familiar conventions and still works..I think it’s important to understand that this is not a romance story but a legal drama with a robust, character driven competitive narrative through and through, with a touch of romance and undeniable chemistry and instinctive spark between the main leads.. It also had one of the most mature relationships I saw from characters in this age group in dramas.. No unnecessary jealousy, love triangles, outside interference or forced tensions.. This had all the good vibes I needed at the time..
The characters here feel deeply and love wholeheartedly.. They are good, not flawless but always trying to be decent, to be good to those they care about even when they could be selfish, because their futures are at stake here..
Special shoutout to He Lan Dou.. She was really good.. Her character Guo Xiao Yu was one of my favorites.. Hu Xian Xu and Zhou Yi Ran were good too.. I liked how Hu Xian Xu brought his character, Jiang Chen to life.. There were a lot of small nuances in his character traits that made him feel real.. This is my first drama of both of them.. I was waiting for his upcoming drama Undercover Auto Genius because of Wang Ying Lu, but now I have one more reason to watch it I guess..
There were a few things that bugged me but I just want to bring up one here.. They were part of a Talent Hunt Program, essentially a competition to get a job.. They kept saying elimination, elimination but none of them actually got eliminated.. The first one was forced out because he cheated and the rest quit by their own choice.. That took the edge out of the competition, which was the core theme of the story.. I mean, we all knew who the finalists would be but they didn’t have to go so easy on the others..
Overall, it is a pretty decent watch.. I would have loved to see another 6 episodes, showing what their lives were like after the competition ended.. The ending might feel vague but I think it’s fairly clear that they both got the job and stayed together at the firm.. Still they could have done a better job with that..
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9.5 for the first 30 episodes, 5 for the remaining
This is really a difficult review:If I would only rate the first half of the drama, I would give it a 9.5; the second half a 5; so altogether, it became a neither here nor there 7.
This drama, adapted from a popular internet novel, revolves around a notorious evil ex-sect leader Lu Zhao Yao and her story of revenge at the supposedly benevolent sects. But the story truly after she has died and wanders as half spirit half-human body, taken the shape of another girl, Qin Zhi Yan, whose personality is 180 degrees different than hers. The other great aspect is her romance with the new sect leader, Mo Qing, whom she saved in the past, but due to a misunderstanding she wanted to kill at the start but later hopelessly fell in love with.
What I love about this drama:
** The first half (up to about episode 30): except for the first 2-3 episodes at which the story was a bit confusing, the remaining episodes up to episode 30 were executed extremely well as the story and character development stick fairly close to the original work, which is original, light-hearted and funny. The episodes have a good pace, the progress logic but unexpected. There is a clear path towards a climax and an "ending" to it, that leaves the audience satisfied.
** The romance and chemistry between the main leads: the way how the relationship between LZY and MQ has developed is extremely natural and sweet. My emotion was going wild moving up and down together with the progress of how their misunderstanding got slowly resolved. There are a few really romantic moments in this drama, especially the kiss scenes are probably the best ones I have ever seen in a c-drama. Bai Lu is wicked, strong, and cunning on the outside, but righteous and caring on the inside. MQ is kind-hearted and caring but also easily jealous, strong and would do everything to protect LYZ.
** The acting of the main leads: Both Bai Lu and Xu Kai have done a fantastic job bringing LYZ and MQ to life. Through this drama, I have fallen helpless in love with Xu Kai. I have seen him in Once upon Time in Lingjian Mountain but did not think much of him at that time. But now I know why he is this popular. He can project this affectionate and kind gaze, the kind of gaze of being deeply in love with the female lead that is just heart-melting. His facial expressions showing sorrow, jealousy or anger are extremely to the point, I am in awe. The same can be said to Bai Lu. Her character is one of the most interesting female lead characters I have seen in a c-drama.
I also need to give big praise to the second main leads Shane Yan playing Qing Zhi Yan and Daixu playing Jiang Wu. Shane Yan had to play two opposite characters which she did excellently. Her character showed the most growth in the drama. Jiang Wu is bossy and malicious but developed a very loving side towards the end.
** The supporting characters. The Legends has a great set of supporting characters: Gu Han Guang, the doctor, and Zi You, the narcissistic sect lead are my favorites. Most supporting characters, even the evil ones, have a story that made them 3-D and the audience becomes empathetic with them. However, some of the stories were too long and often cut in at the wrong moment.
** The music: the title song Zhao Yao (same as the Chinese name of the drama) is extremely beautiful and I have been listening to it non-stop since the drama.
What I disliked about the drama:
** The second part of the drama starting from episode 30 onwards: The episodes start to fill with filler episodes with little involvement of the main leads. The characters of the main leads start to change to a state of none-recognizable. The audience can clearly see that there is less effort made to make the scenes look professional. Esp. the last few episodes are a disaster: the editing and story development are all over the place and nothing made sense anymore which left me feeling a little... WTF’ish. My train of thought during the early part of this drama went something like this:
“Oh no, how can this happen? Oh, good, nothing bad happened ... Wait, what are you doing...? Hm, isn't this the scene that supposed to come earlier...? But then where is this scene coming from?... Oh no, he is gone?! Oh, he is back again!... Is this a sad ending?... Should I cry?... Is this a happy ending? Should I smile? ... utter confusion.
I found out that the scriptwriter, the novel author herself, adapted the drama to fit a 28-episode long drama, which had a different ending than the original script. Later she was told to extend it to 40 episodes, which she barely made it. However, then she was asked to extend it to 56 episodes which forced her to completely rewrite everything last minute. Thus it completely derailed from its original story, including the personalities of the leads as well as the bad editing and the fillers in later part of the drama. The fans started to criticize this drama in the middle of its airing that the makers start to cut the final episodes so the direction of the final episodes changed completely to be closer to the original story to please the audience. Even the makers themselves had to issue an official apology after the final episodes have been aired.
After watching it, I felt so dissatisfied that I went back to read the original novel to reimagine how the drama would have been if it had stuck to the original story. So far, I like it very much. With what I can see, the drama had the potential to become a "second Untamed" but failed to do so due to the awful capitalism of Chinese drama land that made this drama a complete disaster at the end. (Yes, you heard it right, it is the same director as the Untamed! Now you know, next to the actors, the director, it's the scriptwriter who is the soul of every drama).
All in all, If you are a fan of Bai Lu or Xu Kai and have a good imagination you might want to watch it to the end. Otherwise, I would recommend you watch it to episode 30 and just take the interim climax as an ending which is satisfactory in itself.
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You Taught Me All the Precious Things
16 people found this review helpful
Though the story was serious and was kind of heavy, it was not dragging and it was presented in a way that viewers would want to continue watching it 'til the end. It gives great impact and a lot of lessons. One would also learn to love each characters as the drama goes on. Music was just right and goes well with the emotions the drama is trying to give to its viewers.
This is one of those dramas that after watching it, you would realize a lot of things. One of those dramas that as the characters in the story changes, you could also feel that something deep inside you has changed. You would also learn as the characters in the story are learning. A must watch drama. A drama worth remembering.
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The story centers around 2 ill-fated loves. I thought both stories weaved together well, without feeling too cheesy, or forced. Gu Wol Ryung & Yoon Seo Hwa's tragic romance had me hooked from the very beginning. Choi Kang Chi & Dam Yeo-Wool's chemistry kept me excited about what would happen next. I'll admit that the story was a bit predictable at times, and there were a few frustrating questions left unanswered (specifically about the Gu Family Book), but the amazing cast made every episode enjoyable. At no point was I ever really bored.
Lee Seung Gi is one of my favorites. I've loved him in every drama I've seen him in, so it was great seeing him in a role where he gets to evolve into a true hero. He was perfectly complimented by Suzy, who plays a strong heroine, not just the pretty damsel in distress. They worked well with each other, and even made some of the cheesier love moments work.
I think the entire cast did a great job, so it's hard to single any actors out, even though I did have a few favorite characters. I hated who I was supposed to hate (Lee Sung-jae is such a good villain), and empathized with the entire colorful cast of characters. I also loved that many of the characters, weren't completely good or bad, which gave them more depth (Choi Jin Hyuk looked so good being bad, and Jo Jae Yun was hilarious). Though they played 'over the top' at times, I had to give the cast a 10.
The script I think was a bit too ambitious, which Is why I gave the story an 8. I don't think there were many plot holes, and I can forgive predictable stories if they are entertaining, which this was. There were actually a few moments that caught me completely off guard, and that kept the feeling of suspense going. I do think that some of the explanations were a little too far fetched, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally. I did not cry during the "sad" parts, because they were so melodramatic. Still, I was completely invested in the characters, which I think is a testament to the outstanding cast.
I did not love the music as much as others did, but it did compliment the mood well. I could see myself rewatching this, and still being entertained, but I wouldn't call this drama one of my favorites.
The ending does leave the door open for the possibility of a sequel, which is an exciting thought.
Overall, I would say this is worthy of any Sageuk to watch list. It was not perfect, but it was exciting, and enjoyable enough to get a "great" score from me. If you are willing to suspend your belief, I think you'll enjoy it too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Very unique and interesting! MUST WATCH!!
I started King The Land first… didn’t find it that great. I love Lee Jun Ho, but felt that the drama just didn’t bring out the best in his acting. Didn’t really find the humour all that funny either.Then I started this drama, and boy was I blown away! It’s so unique and interesting!! A very refreshing perspective and fresh outlook. I loved the FL - her character is so fresh and unique. The storyline is very captivating, a little complicated and may not make sense at times- but that’s what happens when you have past lives/ reincarnation plots like these. (At least this made more sense than Lee Jun Ho jumping off the helicopter on to a steep cliff in his Hermes shoes and suit to save the girl he likes???? Does he think he’s spider-man? )
Ok enough reference to KTL. Watch this drama. It’s very good. :):):) Some ppl commenting that the ending wasnt great. I thought it was fine- an open ending sort of closure for all involved. Some loose ends with some of the side plots- like what happened with Mr Kang? I always thought that if Ban Jieum had her normal life back, he would be “released” from the spell and go back to his normal life as well?? Haha.. anyhow. These sort of plots cannot make perfect sense anyways.
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Tropey but Enjoyable, Great Acting
The storyline of Romance of a Twin Flower sounds tropey – fall off cliff, switch identity, amnesia, an egregious antagonist, an admirer turns deadly, and more – but the execution of it is excellent with intact scriptwriting, directing and acting. The setting is authentic, the costumes are nicely done and beautiful, the dialogs are as expected, and the logic is sound. Most of all, the chemistry of the main couple is good and believable.The drama opens with Nie Sangyu (Peng Xiaoran) falling off a cliff. She is then rescued but has totally lost her memory. Nie Sangyu is a cruel and despicable person, but the rescued Nie Sangyu is a kind and very lovable person. Turns out the rescued Nie Sangyu is not the original Nie Sangyu, but no one suspects that she's not the real one because they look exactly the same except different in temperament and character.
Nie Sangyu is married to Marquis Ning Yuxuan (Ding Yuxi) who is forced to marry her, but he dislikes her because the original Nie Sangyu is not likable. After going through all the life and death experiences together, both the fake Nie Sangyu and Ning Yuxuan fall in love with each other. When he finds out Nie Sangyu’s real identity as Ji Man, Ning Yuxuan wants to marry her, but this must be done privately because her real identity cannot be revealed to others just yet. Their wedding is disrupted unexpectedly as the events unfold.
Both Peng Xiaoran and Ding Yuxi have given a wonderful performance here. Their characters are believable and lovable. I have loved Peng Xiaoran since Goodbye My Princess. Here, she is beautiful and natural. Ding Yuxi may not be everyone’s pretty boy and he’s not tall in stature, but he’s a wonderful actor. I have enjoyed all his dramas.
The antagonists are made known from the beginning. Ma Ke plays Ling Jianxing as Ning Yuxuan’s nemesis. Throughout Ning Yuxuan’s career, Ling Jianxing has always been there to create stumbling blocks for him, many times deadly, but each time, Ning Yuxuan is a step ahead of Ling Jianxing.
Ning Yuxuan also has a concubine whom he marries for a reason. Wen Wan (Jia Nai) is the most hated character in the story. Hypocritical, jealous, murderous, Wen Wan wants Nie Sangyu dead, and sabotages her repeatedly. Again and again Nie Sangyu dodges death through her quick wit and help from Ning Yuxuan.
Luckily, we have an intelligent and benevolent emperor here that makes the story very pleasant. The two maids that follow Nie Sangyu/Ji Man around are sweet, and her friends are trusty and dependable. Ning Yuxuan’s loyal bodyguard, Gui Bai (He Changxi), is also an interesting and lovable character. There are some very lovely side couples with their respective sweet romance. Too bad a secret admirer whom I have come to like, becomes a deadly antagonist.
My Verdict
Despite all the tropes and cliché, and some plot holes here and there (eg. how Ji man loses her memory), this is a very enjoyable drama. For romance buffs, this is not smooth sailing for the couple; they are separated for one year (for an acceptable reason) before getting back together again. Great acting, lovely story, and good directing.
Enjoyable watch! Don’t miss it!
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-Wildness beyond imaginations.... check!
-Violence... check!
-Hopelessness...check!
-Spot on comedic scenes...check!
-Amazing performance from the whole cast...check!
-Magnificent use of flashbacks, colours, lighting and music... MAJOR Check!
-Memorable... We'll see about that ;)
-Story... I don't usually watch anything where there is no one to root for, much less enjoy it, but somehow this story was engaging so...check! But it was mostly because of it's characters rather than the story itself.
This is definitely a director piece. What I love about this movie is exactly what I loved about Confession. The not so linear timeline, the constant use of flashbacks, seeing only part of the picture piece by piece until it makes all sense, the effective use of music to indicate the absurdity of the situation, the colours used show the madness in the world. The movie doesn't shy away from anything, and the story is told by one hell of a messed up dirty old ojisan. Under a lesser director, this movie would've been like any other, average, forgettable. Nakashima has a way of mastering the image he's showing. A true artist who manages to connect with the audience through images.
Yakusho Koji's genius was beyond my imagination (currently checking out his movie list ;)) Tsumabuki was adorably delightful. I smile on every scene he's in. Sometimes I burst out laughing. Specially in his last scene in the movies. Hilarious! It just caught me by surprise. Odagiri, oh Odagiri, he may not appeared long in the movie, but it was long enough to captivate me. To the point that I didn't realize I was missing my chance to get some great screencaps of him XD. What a scene that way. Words cannot describe it. It was so effortless on his part. Playing crazy characters for him is like a kid getting his favourite toy on christmas!
That young cast! No fear for the future of the Japanese cinema as long as they're around. It's my first time seeing Komatsu Nana so can't judge much but she has the perfect demonic beauty that she uses effectively here. Hashimoto Ai always knows the best thing to say at the right moment. Hiroya Shimizu was also perfect his the use of his character is interesting.
It wasn't an easy watch but totally worth watching. If you're a fan of Nakashima movies, especially Confessions, you'll definitely like it. If you are a fan of any of the cast, they make such a spectacular job it's worth venturing into this movie!
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A Must-Watch Omegaverse Masterpiece
ABO Desire is my second favorite Chinese BL after Revenged Love, and it stands out as the first uncensored Omegaverse Chinese BL. It dares to go where most dramas would hesitate, delivering raw emotion, intensity, and a love that burns beyond boundaries.I absolutely love all four male leads. Each one is stunning and talented, bringing depth, charm, and intensity to their roles. Their chemistry is magnetic, making every scene feel alive and impossible to look away from.
Some people say this drama is too toxic, but honestly, if it were not this intense, it would be just another ordinary romance. The psychological manipulation, the possessive love, and the emotional chaos make it addictive. Every episode keeps you on edge, and not once did I feel bored.
The library earthquake scene is easily my favorite. It shook more than the walls; it shook the soul. Hua Yong throwing himself over Sheng Shao You, shielding him from falling debris, from the weight of the collapsing world, was love in its purest and most painful form. The iron rod piercing his body was nothing compared to the thought of losing the man he loved. Blood stained the ground, but love stained his heart even deeper. If this is not love, then what is.
Hua Yong’s past mistakes were terrible, yet they were born from love too deep to control. His love pushed him to protect but also to deceive, and now the truth tears them both apart. Sheng Shao You’s heart bleeds from betrayal even as Hua Yong’s body bleeds from pain. He pushes Hua Yong away, not because the love has faded, but because the hurt has become unbearable. They drown not in the ruins of an earthquake but in the ruins of their own hearts. The body may heal, but the heart, once broken by love and lies, carries scars that time cannot erase.
What makes this Omegaverse world so beautiful is the freedom it offers. Gender does not matter. Love is simply love. Couples can marry, have children, and live openly. Even Sheng Shao You’s father’s acceptance of Hua Yong felt like a miracle. In so many BLs, coming out brings rejection or heartbreak, but here it brought warmth and hope.
Hua Yong dreamed of that happiness since he was sixteen. He already had a name for their future child—Hua Sheng—with the sweet nickname Peanut. Every detail of their future was painted in his heart long before it could exist. One quiet afternoon, Sheng Shao You told his brother, “I’m bringing your future in-law.” Just three words, yet they shattered Hua Yong’s composure. After fifteen years of silent love, those words turned dreams into reality.
But love, no matter how deep, cannot always protect against tragedy. Sheng Shao You’s brother, Shao Qing, spiraled into debt and darkness, dragging everyone with him. Despite countless chances and forgiveness, he betrayed them again, poisoning his own brother and raising a knife to kill him. Hua Yong did not hesitate. He took the blade himself to save Sheng Shao You. If that is not love, then what could ever be called love.
Hua Yong now stands at a crossroads between mercy and justice, torn between the love he protects and the family he must destroy to keep that love safe. Every choice bleeds with sorrow. What was once a dream of breakfasts, a child named Peanut, and peaceful mornings has become a war fought in the name of love.
ABO Desire is bold, thrilling, and emotionally devastating in the best way. It delivers passion, heartbreak, and beauty all at once. A solid 10/10 in my eyes, and an absolute must-watch for anyone who loves Omegaverse or Chinese BLs that dare to push beyond the ordinary.
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At the beginning I wondered if they would be able to portrait the character of Jang Ok Jeong, probably the most well known villain of Joseon, as a good person.. but on the contrary they have not changed her character.. they have shown what was behind her behavior, behind her ambition and coldness: first of all the desire to rebel from the injustices suffered because of her humble origins, but also her deep love for the king and for her son Yoon ..
This is a truly tragic and romantic love story in which they both were willing to lose everything for each other..
I especially loved the character of the king .. wise and fair, with the courage to reform the government several times, able to counter the political opposition particularly alive at that time, but also willing to give up the throne for his love..
A fantastic romance with great characters analyzed in every facet and an excellent cast.. I've always loved Kim Tae Hee and Yoo Ah In both, but in this project they have outdone themselves, the chemistry between the two has always been perfect, the acting was impeccable.. and let's face it.. they are both really beautiful.. and.. I'd stay hours listening to Yoo Ah In's voice * ^ *
The OST was astonishing, in particular "Sorrow Song" by Yim Jae Bu.. it was of great impact..
Highly recommended!
Ps: Sorry for my English ^^
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trash live action that no one wanted
i hope this shit will flop so hard that that misogynist director won’t have any reason to make up another shitty movie sequel.from the moment they prioritize casting famous actors i knew this movie is set to flop, cause that has to be the worst casting i’ve ever seen. only redeeming casting here is nana as heewon and the actress that acted sangha, which is such a waste bc they decided to be misogynist towards the female characters of this movie.
i fucking hate everything about this live action because first, the original author of the novel doesn’t even approved of this movie as naver (a misogynist company ofc) was the one who decided this masterpiece needed a live action no one even asked for. second, as i stated before, the fucking casting. besides the things i’ve said beforehand, the actor who is acting as dokja doesn’t even know the character he’s acting. the disrespect towards the original medium is loud and they consider themselves artists?? and that leads us to the third fucking reason, everyone in the production literally just disrespected the original source as well as the cultures written in it. they fucking changed everything that i can’t hardly call this my orv, atp they should just change everything from the title to the characters bc this is NOT MY ORV. they should’ve taken the netflix adaptation of kakegurui, it’s INSPIRED but not necessarily the og medium.
i have a lot more to say honestly but i’m just getting irritated again so i’ll leave it at that.
READ THE WEBTOON OR WEBNOVEL INSTEAD OF WASTING YOUR MONEY AND WATCHING THIS SHIT.
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Not the best, but not the worst
Honestly, there is just so many bad reviews out there for this drama. "My Strange Friend" did not make it to my list of favourite C-Dramas, that's true, but it's far from the worst.I can understand that the bar is higher for a series with the ML of Yibo's caliber, but one must admit that good plot is not among the strongest points of most C-Dramas. Given the budget, I think the production already did the best they could with what they had, and I was quite surprise that they managed to pull off this much out of the limited resources that they had.
There were lots of plot holes and the series was dubbed over in the original Chinese version to make up for the inconsistency, but some part of the story and dialogue were still very interesting. I especially liked the first few episodes, the following not so much, but still passable. My favourite character in the entire series was Afu. I think he got the best story line, and the actor really nailed it portraying his character.
To summarize, do not expect another "Untamed", but "My Strange Friend" is not so bad as a story.
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This review may contain spoilers
At the beginning this drama seemed to be a light and silly romance but soon became all pain, tragedy and suffering. Even the happy end doesn't feel so happy. The prodution is low budget, the action scenes are most laughable and the acting is not very good. The protagonists were ok, Ireine Song was the best for me, the poor girl had to cry many liters, I bet she had to drink much water to rehydrate. The ML made a good job as the fool but when he was "normal" he was just like a store mannequin that cries, but he is very beautiful and this compensates any flaws LOL.7/10 for me.
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